Grant Guy is a Winnipeg, Canada, poet, writer and playwright. Former artistic director of Adhere + Deny. His writings have been published in Canada, the United States, Wales, India and England. He has three books published. He was the 2004 recipient of the MAC’s 2004 Award of Distinction and the 2017 recipient of the WAC’s Making A Difference Award.

​PRETTY BOY FLOYD KNEW

​Water decided to make itself scarceThe unending dry mountain winds was damned to make sureThe rain did not come that summerThe cattle withered on the parched landThe rancher cursed the god he didn't believe in

The situation wasn't any better up north

California was a messGeorgia wasn't so peachy

The sheep were sold off firstThe cattle laterRanches were foreclosed

But like time banks were eternalFound away to make a buck or two or a millionOut of the dried blood of the ranchers

Pretty Boy Floyd knew thatAnd he knew how to make the bankers scream

HOBO

​I got nuthin’ & nuthin’s got meSo why all the long facesI follow the highways& the railways& the sun & moon & the days & years All the same if you don’t keep track

Today I’m TomTomorrow I will be BillJust last week I was GeneNext Tuesday I think I will be SamWhen I’m paid I’m paid in cashJohn Dough that’s me

There is a freedom not ownin’ anythin’’Not against or for anythin’You’re not even against DeathIt is part of my nuthin’

I got it made

I ain’t no bum

I’m aHobo

HoboPretty goodHey

​he loved

​he loved his 1956 Ford & hated his fatherhis mother went to church every Sunday did not believe in Godnot until she was on her death bed (just in case)

his brother was dead but rode his ass every day

he stole but hated it when people stole from himhe had a girlfriend & she had several boyfriendshe ate his vegetables but preferred Cheese Whizhe was seventeen & the best years were behind him